Meloni: "Unacceptable violence". Here are the new offences approved by the government following the demonstrations in Milan and Turin

“We have all seen the images of the violence that shook Milan and other Italian cities at the weekend: shops looted, shop windows smashed, and law enforcement officers attacked. These are unacceptable scenes that no one can possibly minimise or justify, and for this reason the Council of Ministers today approved a decree introducing new measures to prevent and combat such violence.” This is how the video begins in which Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni explains the measures approved today by the government. The Prime Minister posted it on her social media shortly before the press conference began, effectively overshadowing the briefing that Justice Minister Carlo Nordio and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi were about to hold with journalists. The deployment of 500 additional military personnel to Milan until the end of the year has been confirmed. Furthermore, according to the Prime Minister, there will also be an increase in the number of magistrates and places in juvenile detention centres.

“A new offence has been introduced: violent participation in a demonstration,” explained Meloni. “Put simply, if during a march or demonstration you join a group of five or more people and start throwing stones, firecrackers or sticks, thereby endangering everyone’s safety, you face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 20,000 euros. If your face was covered or if you injured someone, the penalty is increased, and penalties are also increased for those who cause destruction as part of a group,” she emphasised. 

Furthermore, pre-trial detention may also be applied to minors. “Currently, for a young person aged between 14 and 18, the State must prove in each case that they were capable of understanding what they were doing. We had already approved a law that reverses this principle, namely that it is presumed they were capable of understanding what they were doing unless proven otherwise. That law is before Parliament, but with today’s decree it comes into force immediately, and pre-trial detention – which until now applied only to adults – may also be applied to minors,” the Prime Minister continued. 

As Piantedosi explained at a press conference, if the child is not criminally liable, the parents will be penalised. This involves “an administrative penalty imposed by the administrative authority, namely the prefect, ranging from 500 to 1,000 euros, which may be doubled in the event of a repeat offence”. The prefect may, therefore, “order the parent to pay a sum by way of compensation for damage caused as a result of the acts committed, where such damage is caused to property belonging to the State, the region or local authorities – that is, to public bodies – and is of a public nature”. Where, on the other hand, damage is caused to private individuals, the person concerned “the prefect may resort to a simplified procedure to obtain swift recognition of the damage caused to them by the acts”, the minister reiterated.

“We apply a simple principle,” said Meloni in her video, “whoever causes damage pays, and if the person causing the damage is a minor, their parents pay.”